Leeds United players back in training

Leeds United players report back for the first day of pre-season training this morning with just one new face in their ranks.

Although manager Brian McDermott has identified several key signings he has not yet been given the necessary finances to push the deals through, leaving former Oldham striker Matt Smith as his only signing in a quiet summer so far for the Whites.

McDermott will be at the Thorp Arch training ground today to welcome Smith and the players he has retained since last season to begin preparations for the new campaign, which kicks off on Saturday, August 3 at home to Brighton.

The players will be put through their paces for just over a week before the opening pre-season game at Farsley on Saturday, July 6 (3pm) and the senior squad will then head off to Slovenia for a 10-day training camp that also includes three matches.

They will be met by a few changes at Thorp Arch with pitches re-sized to the same measurements as Elland Road and a new irrigation system which has been worked on at the training ground in recent weeks.